Albemarle Corporation (ALB)
NYSEMaterialsChemicals - SpecialtySnapshot 2026-09-04
$126.28-4.45%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NYSEMaterialsChemicals - SpecialtySnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · ALB
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within materials on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks ALB against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Materials names rated neutral grew net income 46% of the time over the next year (vs 54% for the rest of the cohort, n=2582).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Sustain full-year 2026 net sales in the range of $4.1 to $4.3 billion, reflecting stable market pricing and volume assumptions.
Stated as a priority in 5 of last 5 quarters. Management maintained net sales guidance of $4.1 to $4.3 billion for 2026. Actual revenue grew from $1.43 billion in 2026-Q1 to $1.74 billion in 2026-Q2, consistent with guidance. The trajectory is delivering against the stated revenue target.
“Net sales $4.1 - $4.3 billion”
“Net sales $4.1 - $4.3 billion”
“Net sales $4.1 - $4.3 billion”
“Net sales $4.9 - $5.2 billion”
“Net sales $4.9 - $5.2 billion”
Target adjusted EBITDA in the range of $900 million to $1.0 billion for full-year 2026, driven by pricing, volume growth, and cost improvements.
Stated as a priority in 5 of last 5 quarters. Adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2026 is $0.9 to $1.0 billion. Actual adjusted EBITDA increased from $664 million in 2026-Q1 to $858 million in 2026-Q2, showing progress toward the target. The trajectory is delivering consistent improvement.
Control capital expenditures to approximately $500 million in 2026, reflecting ongoing capital efficiency improvements and disciplined spending.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. Capital expenditures guidance was reduced from $550-600 million to approximately $500 million for 2026. Actual capex in first half 2026 was $170 million, down $132 million versus prior year. The trajectory shows disciplined capital spending consistent with management's stated priority.
Achieve annual run-rate cost and productivity improvements in the range of $100 to $150 million through operational efficiencies and cost discipline.
Stated as a priority in 2 of last 2 quarters. Management reported $40 million in cost and productivity improvements in 2026-Q1 and $100 million year-to-date in 2026-Q2, tracking toward the $100 to $150 million annual target. The trajectory shows delivering progress consistent with the stated goal.
Continue portfolio optimization efforts, including the sale of a controlling stake in Ketjen refining catalyst business and related joint ventures.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Management completed sales of Eurecat joint venture and controlling stake in Ketjen for combined net proceeds of approximately $648 million by 2026-Q1. Refining catalyst earnings are now classified as equity income. The trajectory shows delivering on portfolio optimization commitments.
Over the trailing year it converted -3.50x of net income into operating cash flow.
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity, long-term interest rates (low R² over the window).
19 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by executive changes. Historically, Materials names rated volatile grew net income 52% of the time over the next year (vs 50% for the rest of the cohort, n=717).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“Adjusted EBITDA $0.9 - $1.0 billion”
“Adjusted EBITDA $0.9 - $1.0 billion”
“Adjusted EBITDA $0.8 - $1.0 billion”
“Adjusted EBITDA $0.8 - $1.0 billion”
“Adjusted EBITDA $0.8 - $1.0 billion”
“Reducing full-year capital expenditure forecast to approximately $500 million”
“Maintaining full-year capital expenditure forecast of $550 million to $600 million”
“Reducing full-year 2025 capital expenditures outlook to approximately $600 million”
“Reducing full-year 2025 capital expenditure outlook to between $650 and $700 million”
“Delivered $100 million in year-to-date run-rate cost and productivity improvements”
“Delivered $40 million in cost and productivity improvements, on track to achieve full-year target of $100 million to $150 million”
“Closed sales of Eurecat joint venture and controlling stake in Ketjen for a combined $648 million net cash proceeds”
“On track to close sale of controlling stake in Ketjen in Q1 2026”
“Announced agreements to sell stakes in Ketjen and Eurecat joint venture for combined pre-tax proceeds of approximately $660 million”